Too many music labels breeding disunity?

Sun, 15 June 2014 23:57
by Charmaine Ngatjiheue

Local musicians say the lack of cooperation between artists is breeding disunity in the music industry.
A number of artists who spoke to Vibe agreed that there is a lack of cooperation and collaborations between artists signed under different stables.
Ma-/gaisa artist, Stanley Ou’Stakes, believes the disunity is encouraged by the fact that there simply too many music labels.
“The number of music labels are ever increasing and the problem is that each label works for itself. For example Ogopa Butterfly only promote their own artists while they could do collaborations with artists from other labels,” he said.
Music labels like Omalaeti Productions, Gazza Music Productions (GMP), Ogopa Butterfly and Mshasho are known to have doors that do not open just to any artists for collaboration.
Damara punch and Rhythms and Blues (RnB) artist, Dixon believes the division is to an extent encouraged by the fans.
“Mshasho fans don’t give a damn about other artists at other music labels and the same goes for Omalaeti fans. Back in the day we were one in the industry but that has now changed because of the labels and this negatively affecting us. There is no love and unity in this industry. Take the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) for instance, those artists are united and as Namibians we need to have that and compete with artists outside Namibia and not with each other” argues Dixon.
The king of the south, S-Man said having different music labels is good for music fans and artists.
“Fans associating themselves with different music labels is positivity for the industry and for the artist but artists need to maintain this status. This means your hard-work has paid off and with whatever you do, people will still buy your products,” he said.
However Killa B of Ezimba argues that popularity of certain labels in the industry comes with association.
“Music labels associations can break an artist with certain negative things fans do and artists should not entertain this. It would be good though for artists to collaborate and not let the personal things get in the way of their music,” he said.